As Arizona grapples with ongoing water supply challenges, particularly groundwater depletion, the state’s five Active Management Areas are being geared up for updates to their Management Plans set to take effect in 2025. The updated plans will shape how Arizona manages its groundwater resources for decades to come.
Arizona’s approach to groundwater management began with the Groundwater Management Act of 1980, established to address the growing groundwater overdraft problem caused by rapid population growth and agricultural expansion. The act created the Active Management Areas, which are regions where groundwater use is closely monitored and regulated.
Arizona has five AMAs with regulations catering to each area.
Each AMA has a specific plan with conservation programs tailored to the area’s unique needs. The state has made strides in improving water management during the past few decades, but challenges persist. Ongoing depletion of groundwater supplies, especially in the Phoenix AMA, has highlighted the need for continued, proactive management.